The significant event of the 1954 season was Jackie's public ridicule of new manager, Walter Alston. Jackie was angered because Alston did not support him when he challenged an umpire's call. In his anger, Jackie referred to Alston as "a wooden Indian." Alston retaliated by benching Jackie more frequently. The team ended the season in second place.

With a cadre of young pitchers and hitters, the 1955 Dodgers finished the season 13 1/2 games in first place. Jackie continued to be more frequently benched in favor of the younger talents. He ended the season hitting only .256, the lowest in his career. However during the World Series against the Yankees, Jackie showed some sign of his former self.

In the first game of the series, top of the eighth inning, the Yankees were leading 6-4 and Robinson was on third base with two batters out. Because of his reported slower running speed, neither the pitcher nor the catcher thought him a running threat. Jackie used the element of surprise and stole home.

The Championship win should have capped Jackie's career but he returned for the 1956 season. At 37 he was physically worn and was benched more and more. The newspapers continued their speculation about his retirement and Jackie also began making plans to retire.

The Dodger organization was planning radical changes as well. First, they announced that Ebbets Field was up for sale and the team was relocating to Los Angeles. They also announced that Jackie Robinson was being traded to their arch National League rival, the New York Giants. Even though he was offered $60,000 by the Giants, Jackie retired from baseball in January 1957.